KG200 Greece/Rhodes/Crete 1944-45

[Graham Boak]

I suspect there were few interceptions because of the difficulties in achieving them. There was not the full air defence system as over the UK, and only a small number of flights over a large area. It would have taken a large investment in night fighters to "flood" the area to improve the chances of catching the odd German.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Actually the period where British nightfighters were the most efficient over the Aegean Sea was some days in end September/begin October 1944, because a HMS cruiser equiped with radar and a guidance station sailed in the area and remained in place to guide them.

After this date I don't think such help was available for the RAF crews, and so intercepting German aircraft was far more difficult.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the info that has come flooding in - great stuff.

Yes, Andreas, I would very much like to see a summary of losses.

What caused the loss of 1G+BM on 12/10/44, 5J+CP on 14/10/44 and 5J+CM on 24/12/44?

Cheers
Brian

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, all

What units should I include in the overview of losses?

Obviously II./KG 4

What others?

Regards,
Andreas B

[Brian]

Hi Andreas

How about 14/TG4 and IV/TG1 and SARGr.126.

Any details would be great.

Thanks in advance

Brian

[Jim P.]

According to Waiss, Boelcke-Archiv, VI (and I certainly may have errored in transcribing these - one is obviously wrong):

He 111H-20, 701243, n.n., , , 4., KG 27, , 1G+EM, , , 01-Oct-44, Notwasserung due to attack by English nightfighter in the Crete area. Bs KIA., , Mittelmeer, Waiss, Boelcke-Archiv, VI, p.124, , 20km nördlich Heraklion, 100%, F, Bs Gefr. Herbert Mittrach, ,
He 111H-20, 701243, Becks, Ofw. Wilhelm, , , 7., KG 27, , , , , 12-Oct-44, Missing with crew during transport flight from Mega to Belgrad-Semlin., F & B were groundcrew!, Ostfront, Waiss, Boelcke-Archiv, VI, p.129, , Ort unbekannt, 100%, H, B Uffz. Karl Neumann, Bf Fw. Klaus Schubbert & Bs Fw. Joachim Styburski, ,

[byron-]

Thanks Andreas,

KG 27 loses over the Ägean sea in Okt.1944 would be of great interest as well.

Remi,

take a look on Jim.P notice, any coment about it?

Byron

[Schenck]

Never focused on Greece, but going through ULTRA I noticed MONSUN 2 (GAF Greece) was making inquires throughout the second part of October 1944 for three HE 111s (1G+AP, AR, BM) missing during night transport on 12 Oct 1944 from Mega/Polikastron to Belgrade-Zemun. Also noticed, that Y-service intercepted message (reported in ULTRA) that one Glider (Go 242???) was lost with equipment of 8/GAF Signals Regiments.

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, guys

Have registered II./K.G.4, IV./T.G.4 and IV./T.G.1.

Following to go:

K.G.27 - was all parts of the unit stationed in this area or just parts?
SAGr 126

Regards,
Andreas A

[byron-]

Hi Andreas,

SAGr 126 was until 10.44 in Greece, KG 27 only parts in Oktober 1944 (as far as i know).
IV./T.G. 1, August 1942 aus Maleme Versorgung des Afrikakorps, Teile in GR ab 30.08.44 beim Abtransport der Truppen

From T.G. 2 i have parts of the Staffel 1, 5, 7 and 10
aus dem K.G. z.b.V. 600 05.43 entstanden und gleich nach GR / Ellinikon

From T.G. 4, Stab, I./T.G. 4, II./T.G. 4 and parts of 14./T.G.4
Stab 05.1943 aufgestellt, 10.44 aufgelöst; Stab I ab Juni 1943 in GR, Stab II ab Okt. 1943 in GR;
2. u. 6./TG 4 bei der Eroberung von Leros (4 Maschinen abgestürzt). 08.43 mit Stab in Kifissia, I. in Kalamaki, II. in Tatoi und IV. in Eleusis und Megara


regards Byron